1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 78about this part
- Share
- 14%of 540 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 78 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier, 14% of the 540 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 42 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving at 55mph the passenger side airbag deployed. When the airbag deployed it ripped apart the dash and busted the windshield. Luckily my son was not injured and managed to keep the car under control to get it off the highway without having an accident. When GM was contacted they said sorry this car was not affected by the recall for the airbags.”
NHTSA complaint #10289883, filed 2009-10, 135,000 miles“Air bags deflated september 9, 2012 while in motion turning a 90 degree bend then braking into road bank on a the side of a country dirt road. An early inspection was handed down from the commonwealth state of pennsylvania on july, 01, 2016. Shortly after the vehicle was involved in auto accident while parked stationary in a parking lot. The Chevrolet Cavalier failed the enhanced state inspection thence after due to air bag safety feature. The car is in fair condition appraised above blue book value and mechanically runs better than it did 4 or 5 years ago. …”
NHTSA complaint #10904595, filed 2016-09, 130,000 miles“When trying to avoid a crash at 15 MPH vehicle went into a ditch. The frontal air bags deployed after the vehicle came to a complete stop. Consumer suffered injuries. Had the vehicle towed to dealership, who could not resolve the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10097872, filed 2004-10, 100,000 miles“Vehicle was involved in a collision. While driving vehicle stalled, resulting in a rear end collision. Upon impact, air bag failed to deploy on driver's side. Driver sustained injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10090307, filed 2004-09, 189,000 miles“Inadvertent driver side air bag deployment killed driver by causing loss of control. While traveling the speed limit in the center lane of the interstate the driver side air bag suddenly deployed for no apparent reason, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The car slid sideways through the median and was struck on the broadside by oncoming traffic killing the driver and injuring three occupants of the other vehicle. The car was purchased new three months earlier and had been driven less than 3000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10013973, filed 2003-04, 3,000 milesRelated recalls
- 98V146000Jun 29, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Because of certain calibrations in the air bag's sensing and diagnostic module, an inadvertent air bag deployment…Covers: Chevrolet Cavalier 1996–1997, Pontiac Sunfire 1996–1997
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 3% |
| 2002 | 14 | 7% |
| 2001 | 21 | 9% |
| 2000 | 18 | 6% |
| 1999 | 24 | 10% |
| 1998 | 34 | 10% |
| 1997 | 78 | 14% |
| 1996 | 73 | 15% |
| 1995 | 20 | 7% |
| 1994 | 4 | 2% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
107 complaintsEngine cooling
106 complaintsSteering
83 complaintsBrakes
64 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
40 complaintsOther or unknown
28 complaintsSuspension
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsFuel system
23 complaintsBody and structure
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology